I just keep a running shopping cart throughout the day/week.

The typical clients that seek out cost segregation studies include:Real estate companies that buy and sell multiple properties each year.Individuals with a portfolio containing investment properties including apartment buildings, multi-family homes and even single residences.Franchise owners with properties that are similar to one another such as assisted living facilities, storage facilities and golf courses.Business owners of hotels, food facilities, shopping centers, restaurants or manufacturing plants.It depends on the type of property, but generally 15-45% of the building’s costs can be classified into assets with a shorter life.

The very basics would be getting your furniture and shopping list together, keyless entry like Schlage (with backup lockbox with physical key very close as well), looking into insurance, local taxes for STRs, and moreAlot of ways to save time and make it easier to self manage with a property management software like Hospitable and data research like AirDNA.

You’ve got to follow the rules closely, and that means working with a qualified intermediary (QI) who’ll hold your funds in escrow while you shop around.

I have already shopped insurance, and the sellers are providing $5k towards prepaids/closing costs. 

Financing-  build a relationship with a regional banker, don’t shop for interest rates, start small and build history and loyalty they are your team, Cross collateralize, deposit CD/MM or custodial account with bank for loan, give them monthly updates, nail your deal analysis, do stress tests on your deal analysis-cost/interest rate/deal length/ sale price etc. 12.  

More likely cash checking and pawn shops.- Given the demand, buying on through MLS will be tough.

So if you want to come visit and scout, that's great, but otherwise, don't go Zillow shopping. 

Use a promissory note drafted by an attorney to outline loan terms, including an interest rate that aligns with IRS Applicable Federal Rates to avoid gift tax issues.

Depending on property titling one partner can get the conventional financing and the other can make a gift or use their assets for the remainder.